The Oxfordshire Netball Blog

It may not be very pleasant but all matches will be played this evening.  If you are playing,  bring a change of kit for afterwards. If you are duty team or spectator, bring waterproofs!

The playing surface is better when it’s properly wet than when it’s just damp. Good luck!

Note : half time at all matches has been reduced to 3 minutes

Lesley Williams – ONL Chair

- The Oxfordshire Umpire of the Year Award is presented to a volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to officiating in netball.

-The Oxfordshire Netball Teacher Award is presented to a teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of netball in primary and / or secondary school, outside of their statutory teaching responsibilities.

- The Oxfordshire Junior Unsung Hero Award is presented to a young person who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of netball through volunteering.

- The Oxfordshire Unsung Hero Award is presented to a volunteer that has made a notable contribution to netball in any capacity which may encompass any aspect of the game and its administration.

email ondbsecretary@gmail.com, or ask your club secretary for a copy of the nomination forms and booking form

There are only a few more places left – hurry!!

See www.englandnetball.co.uk, click on ‘get involved’ and ‘coaching’ for more information:

Don’t forget you can apply to Oxfordshire Netball for assistance with the cost of the course!

Hurrah! netball is being played this week!

But please be aware that there are road works with traffic lights at the bottom of Headley Way,  which are  causing queuing traffic along  Marsh Lane, past the Community Arena and over the bridge above the Ring Road. This evening  we had to wait for several cars for the 7.00 games. Traffic had cleared by the 8.30 games.

Lesley Williams – ONL Chair

Please follow the link below for more details of the job vacancy.  This is great opportunity for a paid local level role within netball!

http://www.englandnetball.co.uk/about-england-netball/recruitment

Sadly Rachel Bussey is leaving her post as Oxfordshire Netball Development Officer, she has been an asset to netball development locally, however she is staying within England Netball as she takes on her new role as South West Regional Manager.  We wish her all the best.  Look out for notice soon of the vacancy for the Netball Development Officer for Oxfordshire.

Sue Blackshaw chatted to Phil Gayle on the BBC Oxford Breakfast show today – listen again to the show http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p008gjhj, Sue’s on 5 minutes from the end of the show.  There is a great discussion about Netball and the provision of women’s sport in the media.

Clare from JR netball club works for Mission Direct. They work in 10 countries across the world building classrooms, homes and hospitals. One of the most popular games played in the schools is netball but there is never any kit or bibs so they’re hoping to give many of the schools kit and bibs this year.  The charity have lots of kit, but are short of bibs.  If your club has unwanted netball bibs, please get in touch with Clare via ondbsecretary@gmail.com.  Their website is www.missiondirect.org

Enjoyed playing netball at school?  Stopped playing and would love to start again?  Looking for a fun new activity?  If you answered yes to any of the above then Headington’s Back to Netball taster session is just what you’re looking for.

To coincide with the opening of the £2.1m Community Arena, which includes six floodlit netball courts, a full-sized artificial grass pitch and pavilion, England Netball are offering local ladies the opportunity to come along and give netball a go for free at Oxford’s fantastic new facility.

Back to Netball is designed to provide a gentle introduction to the sport for female players over 16 years of age.  The session will be coach led and cover basic skill development and court play, with an emphasis on learning new skills and having fun whilst playing.

The session is on Wednesday 25^th January at 12.45pm until 1.45pm at The Community Arena, Marsh Lane, Headington, Oxford, OX3 0NQ.  Experienced coach and player Lil Roe is running the session and comments:

“Back to Netball is a fantastic way for women to re introduce themselves back into the game. Not only are the ladies surprised how quickly they develop skills but also how much they improve their fitness levels and have fun, demonstrating why netball is one of the top women’s participation sports in England”

Whether it is about rediscovering sporting abilities you forgot you had or getting active again, this free session will cater for all abilities.  Get fit, have fun and make friends through Back to Netball.

To book a place please contact Rachel Bussey, Oxfordshire Netball Development Officer, on rachel.bussey@englandnetball.co.uk – don’t delay, book today!